Excellent.

This is a complex book, and with so many characters, moving in and out of the narrative, you have to keep your wits about you otherwise you can get lost. But I have to say I love the way Marian Keyes writes. Very unconventional! I don't think she would mind me saying that. Her stories are character driven. She introduces characters and then loops back on the time line to develop them. Very interesting and experimental I think. Reminds me a little of the way Virginia Woolf wrote her stories.

This book has a lot going on within the family setting. In some ways tragic, and often very funny. I won't say anymore for fear of spoiling it for those that haven't read it yet.

I loved it. What made me love it even more was that she narrated it herself. I found her very easy to listen to, and she read it so well.

Thank you, Marian.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

29 people found this helpful

A joy

This is my second Keyes novel. The Break was the first book I listened to on Audible and whilst I persevered I didn’t engage much with the story. This however was a total pleasure, the characters so real and believable and a the tale a touching exploration of individual character.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Just wonderful

I’ve read all of Marian Keyes’ novels and this one was just as brilliant as the rest - I want to say it was the best, but then I think of The Brightest Star in the Sky, and Anybody Out There, and all the other wonderful books that Marian is written - they have all given me countless hours of pure joy, some timely moments of self reflection, and have taught me so much about the world around me. The topics she deals with in this book are heartbreaking and fascinating, and I would recommend it to everyone!
I so enjoyed listening to it in Marian’s own voice, that really was a treat!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Absolutely fabliss!

Loved this book and the gorgeous Marian Keyes telling the story was heaven .Didn't want it to end, I was totally hooked from the first paragraph. Family intricacies at its best. This should be on your list to read if you haven't already. Well done Marian !

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Loved it Marian

I really wanted it to be good. The first couple of chapters I could hear your anxiety which only wanted me for you to succeed. And indeed you did. Once you got into your stride I couldn’t stop listening. Family complexity can be understood universally. Thank you once again. Xx

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

struggled

honestly I struggled with the story in Audible. loved the narration which made it better.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

you must read this book, it is fabulous 😀

This is the second book I have read since joining the book club, I have loved every chapter. It has been a joy to listen too, every character has been explained in every detail which I have loved. Thank you Marian you are such a clever story teller.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Funny and insightful

Content note: This story contains a sensitive, in-depth portrayal of someone struggling with an eating disorder.

Like others, I enjoyed the author narrating her own book and feel it adds depths. Due to the volume of POVs and the quick changes between them, which possibly could've done with bigger pauses/scene change indicators, there were moments where I got slightly lost, but it quickly became clear who's head we were in.

As in her other work I've read, the author's writing is witty but not shallow, exploring sensitive subjects with understanding and empathy. I wouldn't call it chick lit as it's got so much more to it than books I've read in that category e.g. Bridget Jones. The characters were all well developed and interesting, a real achievement considering how many of them there were!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A good listen

I have to say this was a good listen, and the characterisation is raw. The only drawback I would have to say that it’s was a little hard to keep up with the timeline of things and with over a 100 chapters found that it was quite long.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

enjoyable

really enjoyed this. like a happy ending and loved the narration .
lots of real but likeable characters.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!